Microsoft made a number of announcements during its Xbox Digital Broadcast at Tokyo Game Show 2023, most of which revolved around Japan and Japan-inspired games and updates. Xbox executives Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond talked about the importance of the Japanese market. “Japan will always have a special place in my heart for pioneering innovative ways to play, from the Game Boy, to PSP, to the Switch,” Spencer said.
Xbox went on to reveal a collaboration between legendary Japanese developers Hidetaka “Swery” Suehiro and Goichi “Suda51” Suda, announce an Xbox version of Octopath Traveller 2, and confirm a raft of Game Pass additions.
If you missed today’s broadcast, fear not. This roundup goes over all the biggest news and reveals that came from the Xbox Digital Broadcast at Tokyo Game Show 2023.
Xbox checks in at Hotel Barcelona
The headline announcement was a first look at Hotel Barcelona, a time looping horror-action game collaboration between Hidetaka “Swery” Suehiro and Goichi “Suda51” Suda. It’s due out on Xbox Series X and S at some point in 2024.
Octopath Traveler 2 is finally coming to Xbox
Square Enix and Microsoft had already announced a deal to bring more of the Japanese company’s games to Xbox, and during the show we got confirmation of an Xbox version of RPG Octopath Traveler 2 coming early 2024. It’s already out on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam. Check out IGN’s Octopath Traveler 2 review for more.
Forza’s Japan course got a turn in the spotlight
Microsoft showed off the upcoming Forza Motorsport, from Xbox Game Studios’ Turn 10, and its Hakone course as well as the 2020 Toyota GR Supra. Forza Motorsport is due out on Xbox Series X and S, and PC, as well as straight into Game Pass, on October 10. If you buy Forza you get a 2024 Chevrolet Corvette for use in Playground’s Forza Horizon 5.
Fallout 76 delivers a megaton
Bethesda’s Fallout 76 is getting an Atlantic City update, and during the show Art Director Jonathan Rush announced it’s so big it’s being split into two releases. The first release comes out December 5, and features new locations, new factions, new missions, and new rewards. There’s even a casino. New Vegas vibes, anyone? Steam players who already own the game can join the fun early, with Atlantic City available on the Public Test Server from October 3.
The Elder Scrolls Online finally comes to Japan
Sticking with Bethesda games, ZeniMax Online Studios announced massively multiplayer online role-playing game The Elder Scrolls Online is finally coming out in Japan. The fully localised Japanese version launches in Japan on November 15, 2023, with the Necrom expansion launching on console in February.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy is coming to Game Pass
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy, a remake compiling the first three entries (Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Justice For All, and Trials and Tribulations) into a single package, hits Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass next week, on September 26. It’ll also be available on mobile with touch controls.
Meanwhile, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy, which includes remasters of four, five, and six (Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Dual Destinies, and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Spirit of Justice), is due out on January 25, 2024 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and Windows PC.
Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi looks like a fun fantasy adventure
Microsoft showcased Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi, a fantasy adventure developed by two brothers. It’s set in a mysterious and dangerous ruined temple inspired by Japanese works, and stars Lili and her mysterious monk girlfriend Sadi. Battles and puzzles were created with both characters in mind. Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi is down as coming soon to Xbox and PC.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a spiritual successor to the Suikoden series coming to Game Pass
Microsoft showcased Suikoden spiritual successor Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, which is set to launch into Game Pass when it comes out on April 24, 2024. The new trailer showed off the beautiful visuals, turn-based battles, and gave us a sense of the scale on offer.
Capcom’s Exoprimal gets an update
Capcom’s co-op focused dinosaur killing mech game Exoprimal launches Season 2 on October 18, and during the Microsoft broadcast we got an idea of what to expect. The season adds a new map, called Ocean Platform, the new Escape final mission, new Drone and Edge Strike rigs, and new costumes. The Street Fighter 6 crossover adds exosuit skins and emotes based on Ryu, Guile, and Chun-Li.
Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai gets a new trailer
Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai is an action RPG with visuals and art from the anime and manga due out on September 28, and will be available on Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 4 and 5, Switch, and PC.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name confirmed for Xbox Game Pass
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a day-and-date Game Pass release, Microsoft announced. It’s out November 9. Like a Dragon: Ishin!, which came out on Xbox earlier this year, is also coming to Game Pass later in 2023.
Mineko’s Night Market coming to Game Pass
Cute adventure game Mineko Night Market comes out on October 26 as a day-and-date Game Pass title. The Steam and Switch versions are out on September 26, with PlayStation 4/5 launching the same day as Xbox One.
My Lovely Empress coming to Xbox
My Lovely Empress, the third installment of the My Lovely series, is due out in 2024 and is coming soon to Xbox consoles and Windows PC. It’s also coming to PS5 and Switch.
Palworld coming to Xbox in 2024
Palword, a monster-collecting RPG dubbed “Pokemon with guns”, got a new gameplay trailer and confirmation it’s coming to Xbox and Windows PC in 2024.
Party Animals gets an Ori crossover
This is a bit of an odd one: slapstick co-op game Party Animals, which launched this week, is getting Ori and Naru from the Ori series as playable characters. Check out IGN’s Party Animals review for more on the game.
Persona 3 Reload and Persona 5 Tactica get new trailers
Persona 3 Reload, due out February 2, 2024 across platforms as well as on Game Pass, got a new TGS trailer. Meanwhile, turn-based strategy spin-off Persona 5 Tactica also got a new trailer. In it we see the new Quest system. Quests are special stages set aside from the main story that come with unique clear conditions, but offer sizeable rewards. Taking on a Quest might mean having to beat an enemy in a single turn, or puzzle-style levels involving manoeuvring bombs around a stage, but in return you can earn entirely new personas to use, or high-level skills. Persona 5 Tactica is due out November 17, 2023 across platforms, as well as on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.
PUBG: Battlegrounds’ Erangel map shown off
Battle royale PUBG: Battlegrounds got a new trailer showing changes coming to the Erangel map in October. The trailer promises more dynamic and mysterious gameplay, and we got a quick look at a hidden, subterranean doorway opening before the teaser ended.
And finally… Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty DLC revealed
We end our roundup with Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty DLC Conqueror of Jiangdong, due out September 27. This second of three expansions adds new weapon types, enemies, and bosses. Two weapons from the recently released Lies of P are also set to hit Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty on September 27 as part of a crossover.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
